The Central Coast Mariners will be looking to win four A-League games in a row for the first time since 2013 when they meet Adelaide United at Coopers Stadium on Friday night.
Alen Stajcic’s side recorded another clean sheet victory last weekend with a 2-0 win against Wellington Phoenix in Wollongong and headed to Adelaide on Thursday ahead of tonight’s game.
Stajcic will be without Gianni Stensness for the game after he was ruled out with a lower leg injury, but with Josh Nisbet playing 45 minutes off the bench and Max Balard and Jaden Casella available too, Stajcic has options for cover.
Our fixtures have been confirmed for the month of March! #CCMFC #ADLvCCM #WontBackDown
Details ??— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) February 19, 2021
Jack Clisby will play his 150th A-League game in the outing, and said that while the feeling is nice, the win is more important to make it a game to remember.
“Turning 29, reaching 150 games it feels like I’ve been here a while,” he said on Thursday.
“Personally, it’s a nice milestone, but the most important thing with a milestone game is you want to make sure they’re worth it and for me and the team it’s just important we get those three points on the road again.”
Clisby highlighted the importance of wins away from home and also the turnaround in fortunes on the road this season, as well as the improved defensive performances.
“The wins on the road have been massive,” he said.
“It’s something we used to struggle as a club to do but things have really turned around for us as a group this year.”
“The camaraderie within the group is there for everyone to see and we’re not getting ahead of ourselves but we’re quietly very confident heading into every game.”
“The club has suffered for a while and us as players have sat down together and said it’s time for us to change and really dig deep.”
“I think we’ve got a really good bunch of boys this year and that just goes to show with the team spirit. “
“Our backline has been solid, boys have really stepped up this year and there’s been a lot of improvement over the year, I think we’re heading in the right direction.”
Squads |
Adelaide United squad: 1.James DELIANOV (gk), 2.Michael MARRONE, 3.George TIMOTHEOU, 6.Louis D’ARRIGO, 8.Stefan MAUK (c), 9.Tomi JURIC, 14.Domenic COSTANZO, 15.Noah SMITH, 17.Mohamed TOURE, 18.Joe CALETTI, 19.Yaya DUKULY, 21.Javi LÓPEZ, 23.Jordan ELSEY, 24.Pacifique NIYONGABIRE, 26.Ben HALLORAN, 29.Kusini YENGI, 34.Yared ABETEW, 35.Al Hassan TOURE, 37.Jonny YULL, 46.Joe GAUCI (gk)
**2-4 to be omitted**
Ins: 2.Michael MARRONE (returns from injury), 14.Domenic COSTANZO (promoted), 21.Javi LÓPEZ (promoted), 24.Pacifique NIYONGABIRE (promoted), 29.Kusini YENGI (promoted), 37.Jonny YULL (promoted)
Outs: 16.Nathan KONSTANDOPOULOS (knee)
Unavailable: 4.Ryan STRAIN (groin), 7.Ryan KITTO (knee), 22.Michael JAKOBSEN (calf)
Central Coast Mariners squad: 1.Mark BIRIGHITTI (gk), 3.Lewis MILLER, 4.Joshua NISBET, 5.Stefan NIGRO, 7.Stefan JANKOVIC, 8.Oliver BOZANIC (c), 10.Daniel DESILVA, 11.Jack CLISBY, 12.Marcos UREÑA, 14.Daniel BOUMAN, 15.Kye ROWLES, 19.Matt SIMON, 20.Adam PEARCE (gk), 21.Ruon TONGYIK, 22.Michal JANOTA, 23.Dan HALL, 25.Matthew HATCH, 26.Jaden CASELLA, 29.Alou KUOL, 32.Max BALARD
Ins: 7.Stefan JANKOVIC (Promoted), 25.Matthew HATCH (Promoted) 32.Max BALARD (Promoted)
Outs: 6.Gianni STENSNESS (Lower Leg – 3-4 weeks)
Unavailable:, 30.Jordan SMYLIE (Knee – 1-2 Weeks)
Match Details |
Friday, 19 February 2021
Adelaide United v Central Coast Mariners
Coopers Stadium, Adelaide
Kick-Off: 6:35pm (Local)(7:05pm (AEDT))
Referee: Adam Fielding
Assistant Referee 1: Matthew Cream
Assistant Referee 2: Paul Cetrangolo
Fourth Official: Daniel Elder
VAR: Kurt Ams
TV Broadcast: Live coverage on FOX SPORTS 505 from 7:00pm (AEDT), Sky Sport 7 (New Zealand), Kayo Sports (www.kayosports.com.au) and MyFootball Live App, Live Fast and Data Free for Telstra mobile customers
Radio Broadcast: myfootballnation.com (FiveAA), COAST FM 96.3
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